If you're browsing your medicine cabinet and come across expired supplements, you may be wondering if they're worth keeping or if you should toss them. Unlike food, these dietary supplements typically do not become unsafe to consume after the expiration date. Instead, they start to lose potency. Here's everything you need to know about when your vitamins actually expire and how to dispose of them properly if you're seeing them going bad.
Do vitamins expire?
Your vitamin bottles most likely have a date on them, but that's not technically an expiration date. That's because your vitamins don't expire in the way you may think. Vitamins don't become unsafe when they "expire" and the Food and Drug Administration doesn't even require a date to be put on the bottles.
Most supplement manufacturers still do, though, because there is a point when vitamins lose potency. This means your vitamins and minerals may not be providing the full nutritional value you expect if they're past their shelf life.
Potency is lost at different rates and depends on the type or form of your supplements. Tablets and capsules tend to stay potent for longer than the chewable or gummy vitamins.
The best way to store your vitamins is in a cool and dry place. Two of the worst places -- and two of the most common -- are in the bathroom and the kitchen. Both of these rooms run warm and damp, which can make your vitamins break down faster. Putting your vitamins in a closet or in a spot in your bedroom that's not getting direct sunlight can help prolong their potency.
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How expired is 'too expired' for vitamins?
While expired vitamins likely won't make you sick, they won't be as potent.
While vitamins won't expire and become unsafe, they will lose potency, which means they're not doing you any good. Manufacturers place the dates on the bottle that signifies when the vitamins hit that point, so if you're past the "best by" date on a bottle, go ahead and toss them because, while they won't make you sick, they also won't help you.
While uncommon, vitamins can become moldy or smelly, especially if they're not stored properly. If your vitamins are in this condition, throw them out immediately and get a new bottle. This is a situation where your vitamins can be unsafe to consume because of whatever contamination is happening with them.
There are currently no documented cases of "expired" vitamins becoming toxic or dangerous to people. Expired vitamins are really just a waste of time and not much else.
How long can you use vitamins after expiration date?
Although taking vitamins past their expiration date is OK, it will depend on how well you've stored them and if they have been opened. Other factors to consider are the type of vitamin and what it's made of. For example, vitamins in gummy form tend to degrade faster than those in tablet or capsule form because they are more prone to absorbing moisture. A good rule of thumb is that if mold is present, the smell is off or the consistency has changed, throw it out.
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How to dispose of expired vitamins
After you've determined your vitamins are past the point of no return, it's important to get rid of them safely. Simply throwing them in the trash can be a risk, because children or even pets could end up getting a hold of them. While you might be tempted to flush them down the toilet, that's not a good idea because old vitamins can still potentially contaminate the water.
The FDA recommends dumping the vitamins out of the bottle and into a plastic bag and mixing them with an "undesirable substance" like coffee grounds or cat litter. Seal the mixture in the bag and put the bag into your trash.Â
You can also take your vitamins to a drug take-back center in your community if you have one. While these are more commonly used for prescription drugs, you can also dispose of your vitamins here so they can be handled safely.
The bottom line
While vitamins may not "expire," they may not work as intended after a certain period of time.
While your vitamins won't technically expire, they become useless after a period of time. Pay attention to the dates the manufacturers put on bottles so you know when your vitamins and supplements will stop working for you. As long as you're storing them properly, they will last as long as they're meant to, and contribute to your overall health.
Expired vitamin FAQs
Will I have any side-effects if I consume expired vitamins?
Unless you're allergic to any of the substances included in the product you've consumed, taking an expired one will not have any adverse effect. But it might have reduced potency, so don't expect many benefits either.
What should I check for in a bottle of expired vitamins?
Always check for signs of mold and a change in color or smell if your bottle of vitamins is past its use-by date. If you're seeing any of these signs, it's best to safely dispose of the bottle of vitamins rather than continuing to consume them.